Skelmersdale United produced a stunning display that kept their promotion chances very much alive with a 5-1 win at struggling Squires Gate.
United started very much on the front foot with Mikey Howard going close after just 3 minutes, Danny Mitchley’s shot moments later flew agonizingly wide of the upright. Howard was again in the action has his run down the right and into the box his shot was going just wide of the post before an onrushing Elliott Morris popped up to tap home for 1-0.
Gate had an opportunity to level the scores as a vicious effort from 30 yards from Jack Iley left Ben Barnes in the Skem goal stranded, luck was on Skem’s side as the ball cannoned off the crossbar.
A frantic few minutes followed first Skem made it 2-0, a lofted ball from Sam Sheen that beat the hapless defender all ends up, saw Mikey Howard force home from short range after 35 minutes.
Back came the home side and a corner swung over evaded everyone except Prince Yalagon at the back post who headed home unmarked, within 30 seconds United had restored their two goal lead, again it was Howard who was in the thick of the action his cross found Mitchley in the box and the experienced striker doesn’t miss from 5 yards out.
Kenny Strickland made an audacious attempt straight from the second half kick-off, his direct shot sailed over the head of the keeper and just over the back of the netting, it would have been some way to mark his 350th appearance.
United extended their lead in the 53rd minute, a corner was initially cleared that found Mitchley wide on the left, his centred ball found defender Joe Herbert, who leapt like a salmon to head past keeper Mclachlan, it was no more than United deserved.
Squires produced a few moments to worry the United defence, especially through lively winger Joel Mills but Callum Lees and Herbert at the heart of the defence stood firm.
United saved the best till last, a pass on the half way line from James Salkeld saw Mini Adegbenro beat the offside trap, he evaded the chasing defenders, rounded the keeper and slide coolly as you like into an empty net for Skem’s 5th.
Speaking after the game, the delighted Mini said “I had been injured and haven’t found the back of the net in a while, it was playing on my mind but it was great to see that ball hit the back of the net, a weight of my shoulders.”
United go into the final 3 games knowing to win them all would see them finish 2nd in the table.
Paul McNally said “it’s in our hands, 3 wins and then who knows, we will finish second but whether we get promoted or not will be decided a few weeks down the line, however we will come to that later, we just have to go out play like we can and see where it takes us”.
United’s next game is against fellow challengers Charnock Richard at the JMO Saturday 12th March, kick off 3pm.
United line up: Barnes, Preston, Croughan, Lees, Herbert, Strickland, Morris, Sheen, Mitchley, Conteh, Howard, Subs: Griffiths, Salkeld, Adegbenro
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